Arrival Day 1 Fly into Addis Int'l: T2 · Domestic: T1
Bole International Airport (ADD) is about 8 km from the centre and has two terminals, side by side: international flights use Terminal 2, domestic flights within Ethiopia use Terminal 1.
Buy a SIM in the baggage hall, then book a ride in the app: the fare is shown upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
Local tip: Buy your SIM in the baggage hall before you leave.
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Take a ride to your hotel Take a ride to your hotel
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Your hotel · Mid-range
A calm hillside hotel above Arat Kilo with views over the city, close to the museums and Piassa.
Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia Take a ride to National Museum of Ethiopia
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Afternoon
Meet Lucy at the National Museum Arat Kilo
The 3.2 million year old skeleton everyone comes for, plus royal thrones and early art. An hour is enough.
Local tip: Closed on some holidays.
Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral
Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 15 min
Late afternoon
Holy Trinity Cathedral Arat Kilo
Haile Selassie's tomb and the city's grandest stained glass, a short walk down from the museum.
Local tip: Dress modestly; remove shoes where asked.
Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia Take a ride to Yod Abyssinia
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Evening
Dinner show at Yod Abyssinia Bole
Music and dances from every region over a big shared platter, ending with a coffee ceremony. Book a table.
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Day 2 Take a ride to Ethnological Museum Take a ride to Ethnological Museum
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 10 min
Morning
Ethnological Museum Sidist Kilo (Addis Ababa University)
Inside Haile Selassie's former palace at the university: Ethiopia's peoples, music and crafts, and the emperor's bedroom.
Local tip: Inside the university's main campus; show the gate guard you're visiting the museum.
Take a ride to Unity Park Take a ride to Unity Park
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 10 min
Afternoon
Menelik's palace grounds: the banquet hall, the old throne room, gardens and a small zoo. Closed on Mondays.
Local tip: Tue–Sun, tickets 9 am–4 pm. Closed Mondays.
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Walk to Fendika Cultural Center
Walk to Fendika Cultural Center
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 15 min
Evening
Azmari night at Fendika Kazanchis
Live azmari singers, traditional dance and Ethio-jazz in an art-filled house. Tip the singer if they sing about you.
Local tip: Tip the singer if they sing about you.
Day 3 Take a ride to Entoto Park Take a ride to Entoto Park
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Morning
Entoto Park and Entoto Maryam Entoto hills
Eucalyptus forest 3,000 m up: trails, viewpoints over the city and the church where Menelik was crowned. Bring a layer.
Local tip: Cooler and higher (about 3,000 m). Bring a layer.
Take a ride to St George's Cathedral Take a ride to St George's Cathedral
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Midday
St George's Cathedral Piassa
The octagonal church where Menelik gave thanks for Adwa, with a small museum of crowns and paintings.
Local tip: Walk Piassa's old streets afterwards.
Walk to Tomoca Coffee
Walk to Tomoca Coffee
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 10 min
Coffee
A macchiato at Tomoca Piassa
Roasting since 1953. Stand at the bar like the regulars and buy a bag of beans to take home.
Local tip: Buy sealed beans to take home.
Walk to the Adwa Victory Memorial
Walk to the Adwa Victory Memorial
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 10 min
Afternoon
Adwa Victory Memorial Piassa
The new memorial in Piassa to the 1896 victory over Italy: a big, striking building with a museum underneath.
Day 5 Take a ride to Meskel Square Take a ride to Meskel Square
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 10 min
Morning
Meskel Square and the riverside Meskel Square
The city's huge public square, with fountains and new riverside paths below it. Bonfires light it up at Meskel in September.
Local tip: Heavy traffic; cross with care.
Cycle to Friendship Park
Cycle to Friendship Park
Flat riverside paths, away from the traffic.
· 10 min
Morning
Bike the riverside to Friendship Park Arat Kilo
The new riverside parks run from Meskel Square up to Friendship Park on flat, paved paths away from traffic. The calmest ride in the city.
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Take a ride to Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum Take a ride to Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 5 min
Late morning
Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum Meskel Square
A small, moving museum on the Derg years, often guided by survivors. Free, donations welcome.
Local tip: Combine with Meskel Square.
Take the light rail to Merkato Take the light rail to Merkato
A few birr a ride. Buy a ticket at the station window.
· 10 min
Afternoon
Merkato with a guide Merkato
One of Africa's biggest open-air markets: spices, baskets, recycled metalwork. Go with a guide and keep your phone in a front pocket.
Local tip: Go with a local guide; leave valuables behind.
Walk to Grand Anwar Mosque
Walk to Grand Anwar Mosque
Short and easy on foot. Keep your phone in a front pocket.
· 5 min
Late afternoon
Grand Anwar Mosque Merkato
The city's largest mosque, on the edge of Merkato. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times; dress modestly.
Local tip: Visit outside prayer times.
Day 6 Take a ride to Gullele Botanic Garden Take a ride to Gullele Botanic Garden
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 30 min
Morning
Gullele Botanic Garden Gullele
Quiet trails through native trees and a great view west over the city. Few people, lots of birds.
Local tip: Wear good shoes; the trails are hilly and it's cooler up here.
Take a ride to Zoma Museum Take a ride to Zoma Museum
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 45 min
Afternoon
An artist-built museum of mud-and-straw walls, gardens and a café. Check opening days before you go.
Local tip: Check opening days before you go; it closes for private events.
Take a ride to Bole Road Take a ride to Bole Road
Book it in a ride-hailing app: the fare shows upfront, so there's nothing to haggle.
· 25 min
Evening
Rooftop bars, lounges and late food on Bole's main strip. Take a ride home rather than walking late.
Local tip: Use ride-hailing at night, even for short distances.
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